When school budgets are tight, art programs often find themselves on the chopping block. Today’s definition of arts education has evolved considerably from what it once was. Today’s art programs encompass a wide array of disciplines – from fine arts to digital media, from music to landscape architecture – and are encouraging creative thinking, problem solving, and healthy emotional development among other things. In fact, studies show that students who have strong exposure to the arts do better academically and are more satisfied in school, making arteducation a vital component in any well-rounded curriculum.

Why The Arts Matter looks at various art programs across the state and the positive impact they have on thousands of public school students each year. From elementary-age kids learning to ballroom dance, to slam poetry competitions and creative music education, see how children benefit when schools make the arts matter.